001Good evening. I'm calling to order the July 10th, 2025 regular board meeting of the Yellow Spring School District. Uh you'll notice that we're in a different location this evening and welcome to our guests gathering around this this table in the uh school district office. Um this is due to uh the construction at Mills Lawn which meant a scheduled power outage or well lack of power and that building um on this day. So we moved these this meeting to this location and thank you everyone for coming. Um Jay, would you do the roll call? >> Himling >> here. >> Magnus >> here. >> Potter >> here. >> Bailey >> here. >> Bouquet >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Uh Item 1.3, the approval of the minutes. Is there a motion? Are there any Well,
002we get a motion first. Is there a motion to approve that? >> Okay. Uh Amy Dorothy seconds. Um any changes to the minutes? >> Jay, did you get the the Okay. Um >> Bailey, >> yes. >> Bet. >> Yes. >> Magnus, >> yes. Potter. >> Yes. >> Motion passes five to zero. >> So item 1.4 agenda review. Um I would like to strike the five minute break. uh and add an item uh you received comment uh a copy of it would be a schoolboard response to the potential override of the governor's veto of items 556566 and house bill 96. Um so we'll have a chance to discuss that. I would like to add the >> and there's no so that's just board communications. >> Well, I was gonna actually put it in the legislative report
003so that we can discuss it. >> Okay. Do you just want me to add that copy of that item? >> Yes. To the legislative. >> I think I copied you on. >> Yes. Yes, I have a copy of it. I will add it to the legislative section. >> Thank you. Okay. >> And just for context is because the memo informing of that came this morning and so there was no time to put it on the agenda ahead of time, right? Everybody's review. >> Okay. So those two agenda break >> you can always just move past. >> We'll just move break. Yeah. I just I just want to let you know that we'll >> move past it. >> Yes, we're gonna move fast today. Um, so no vote needed on those items. Any other agenda items?
004Need corrections, additions? >> Okay, great. Well, then let's move to communications. That's item two. >> Actually, um, one thing. Um, we might want to talk about fall schedule because, you know, I have a conflict on Monday and Wednesday. So, we >> we can always talk schedule during the other board member items at the end. >> Okay. Well, I'll write it down. So, >> I'll write it down. So, >> yeah. We don't forget that. um fall schedule. Yeah, it's going to be be upon us. Uh >> faster than we think. >> Okay. Uh so now moving on to communications. There was one communication uh from Mark Baker. I'd ask the board that I respond to that. I'd spoken with the um superintendent as regards to having a before school con program um and after school program
005>> and um and I just recommend that he reach out to the PTO and other parents um before bringing it to them. >> Can I add to that? >> Yes. I also support that we do a physibility study and I contacted Dr. Holden about this. Um my expectations is that we're just too small to carry it but it would be good to know how much money it takes and what resources it takes to make it happen and see how far we are from it and we can compare. I'm thinking Zena is much bigger than us. Springfield is much bigger than us. Fairborn too could see what it takes and and if you know the final answer is that it's just too big for us to carry then uh that would be about having conversations with
006other private entities in the village that offers some of the services but children's services offers a um an afterchool program >> right our children's center has an afterchool program and I believe an early >> and also open air village does Yeah. >> So there are some offerings about a latch key. Not quite, right? There are some time limits, but >> we can look at how much it takes. >> Um, this is something I I could have, you know, we're looking into a couple things, but um we we could have our business manager look into this. I know um the YMCA also um partners with schools on these programs that helps mini minimize cost. I know there's a local YMCA. I know Centerville is actually switching their program from totally in-house to being hosted by the
007YMCA in their buildings. So, I'll just have him reach out and see if >> And also in that, thank you for bringing that up, but the village also offers the youth center that's from age 11 up. >> So, perhaps I I think this is a conversation for the administration and also for Mr. Baker to reach out to the PTO and other parents getting some more feedback uh on that line. So, if I may, I'll just um I'll I'll send a follow-up email to him and continue the conversation >> connecting people to local resources so that they're aware of what's available. >> Yeah. And perhaps that's a place to start and then we can also identify what the need might be. >> Yeah. And I would say other schools that do this, it's actually um it's
008typically done with the goal of being zero cost to the district. >> So they do you you have to pay for these services of before and after care, >> right? >> Um at a lot of places. So >> and we certainly don't want to compete with services that are already serving our community in this way. Yeah. >> Okay. In that direction follow >> Okay. Great. Well, thank you, Mr. Baker, for bringing it to our attention. Uh, community comments. >> Hi, Christie. Here our community comments. Um, I wanted to speak on behalf of the PTO. Um, we unfortunately it's July, but we're starting to think about back to school and we have um this year we are offering we're selling school supplies. So, school supply bundles to families. So, you can um we have a form
009that went out via parent square. So, it's easy to kind of sign up. You can get the supplies at a discount because we order in bulk and we will have them ready at open house in your child's classroom on their desk. Um we're also accepting donations via Venmo or check if people want to contribute towards school supplies. We buy I think last year maybe 53 sets of school supplies for students in need. Um we're expanding our reach this year to the junior senior high school. We're going to do five middle and five high school kits on that topic. I'm also start we're starting a TI 84 calculator drive at the public library. So if you have a TI84 laying around feel free to please bring it to the library so that we can hand those
010out to students who need them. They're over $100 and I know once you finish high school a lot of times you don't use it anymore. So >> great. >> The library will be the location for that. >> TI84 calculators for everyone who >> sees that. How do how do people learn about this? Um both the possibility of you donating that TI84 calculator. I actually think there's one in my daughter's desk. >> That would be great. >> Um and also donating how do we learn about >> uh the newspaper did a great article about the back to school supply drive. Um and the TI84 is new. That's coming out. It's not even out yet. It's coming out I think tomorrow. But parent square. So it goes home to families via parent square, but really I think
011the newspaper and Facebook are the ways we reach out to the community. So >> can I can I add about the school drive is what I like about it is that it's quick. I shop for two of my kids in less than 10 minutes. >> It's cheaper than if I had gone out and done it myself. And then it's the same supplies for all the kids. And I added one to be sponsored sponsored kit. is open. All the kids get the same thing which I think it's great for dignity to school. >> That was one of our goals. August 1st is the deadline for that. >> August 1 for both purchasing for the donation supplies for the purchasing school supplies. We will take donations anytime. >> Of course. Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank
012you. Any other know if Chuck wanted to have a comment, but >> No, you're all doing great. >> Okay. Thanks. Thanks. We are moving along. So, no five minute break. We'll go on to the >> that we open the financial consent calendar. >> Great. Do we have a second? >> I second. >> Okay. Um Jay. >> Okay. The only thing we have is the financial report. Um I combined May and June. Um it being the end of the year. Uh my if you'll go ahead and open this the um >> it's trying >> um I like to look at the line graphs really quick just where we came in budgetwise. Um >> so benchmark at this point of the year is 100 for everything. Uh revenues we were at 102.08. So just a little over
013what we had projected. And then if you go down to expenditures benchmarks 100 and we're at 101.99. So both of them just you know within 5% just a little bit off of our initial well we made a couple adjustments but our initial expectations. Um so right where we thought we would be for the year. Um, and then the last thing that I want to talk about is all the way at the end, very last page, um, our interest earnings report. We've been talking about, uh, where we are for the budget with our building project. Um, and you know, we're still on budget. We have had some expenses come in, but one of the ways that we're covering the overages is our interest earnings. And you can see it's performing very well still. Um the money
014that we have left, this money will start disappearing. We have one account disappear off here as we made a debt payment um at the end of May. It's our June debt payment, but at the end of May, it fell off um because it was used to pay debt. But um if you remember we borrowed the 15 million as early as possible and that is uh it we are free to earn as much interest as we want. There is no arbitrage on that. I point out that that account so this is the one that we will hold on to the longest and we are at 634,000 above where we started. Um, so that is all our money that we get to hang on to and put towards our project. Um, we've been doing well on the
015other ones as well. But then you also when we get closer to the end, we have to calculate arbitrage. That is done two years after the project's completed. So, one of the things you got to be careful with is you don't want to spend you can't spend all your interest if you do too well because you have to pay it back. >> So, so when we get closer to the end, we'll look at that with our investors and say, "Okay, how much of this are we allowed to spend on our project?" But we know we can spend 634,000 of that that 15 million. So everything you see there is all ours to keep towards our project. >> And and and so um when you say pay it back, pay it back to whom? >> Um
016I believe it's a government program. >> So the whole purpose of that is because um public entities have a way to borrow money. >> Yeah. >> Um kind of cheaper than the rest of us. They don't want schools and cities and townships borrowing money just to make money, right? So, >> yeah. >> So, they say you can't earn more than >> like nonprofits. >> Well, yeah, you're not allowed to earn more. We are nonprofit. We're not allowed to earn more interest than we pay. >> Yeah. So it it like I said that's done two years after the end of the project but you can look ahead and go okay we made $3 million oh we can only keep you know 2.5 or something you know so >> and then it goes back to a the
017government >> yes okay so >> but like I said that that first 15 million was arbitrage free that's why we borrowed it early and we are allowed to earn as much interest as we want and that's what we will spend down first or spend down last. >> Right. I have a a question but it's not on the report. Okay. It's about the pause in the federal grants. What are you hearing about that? >> Um the only update we have is the same update that we had on 630 that Terry read out loud >> that it's possible for us. It's about a quarter million dollar. >> We get roughly a quart million dollars a year in federal grants, you know, outside of COVID years. And I guess I'm also not counting food service in that. >>
018Oh yeah, >> I did not think about that with your question. I was thinking um originally how much we get for >> So it's more than that. >> It is more than that because food services. Yeah. Free and reduced lunch. >> So um at what point will we need to have a conversation as a board about how we offset the lack of federal grants that are coming? Um, so we're not even to August yet. So August is when we do our um we we did our >> temporary appropriations >> um last meeting, but we'll do our full appropriations in August. So of course I'm hoping that we >> by then >> we hear something by August. If we don't hear anything by August, um and then September is when this year's federal grants are finalized.
019So usually you finalize in September and then you roll them into your next year. Um some grants are carryover. Um so se August September area if we have not heard that they're bringing these back by then that that's when it would really be concerning. Um also it's very difficult right now. There's a lot of empty seats um at OD and a lot of the state departments that would you would ask these questions to. So, >> um, >> lots of people have resigned in the in the last month at Woody. >> Yeah. >> DW, can you give us an update? Can you make sure to bring that up in August and September and give us a place of that? >> Yes. I'll I'll >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Any any other con
020uh questions, concerns about the financial um report? Do note that in zero we in our last couple of meetings we looked at the adjustments to made you know because of some additional particularly costs like the re repairs that we had we didn't expect and things like that. So but it looks like um >> we're about where we had planned and so so there weren't any major surprises. Um we have >> I would just ask about the um facilities project and right >> because um these weeks between um uh sess you know semesters you know was a critical time. So >> yes and and so uh Terry is uh is at a conference so she's not able to attend tonight. Uh and so we don't really have much to say but if you can you add
021to >> so that question >> um about are you asking uh Amy are you asking about the financial of a construction update? the financial I would say is um >> yeah that's a question >> I would say that we we've had a couple um additional expenses but we actually we budget for that um so does the construction manager those are the owner contingency and the construction manner um manager contingencies so those are actually things that are in the budget and um >> so what were those >> the contingencies yeah >> um I know ours was I want to say it was close to 2 million for the total project. Um >> that is something that the construction manager is working on a report right now and they're going to um add what percentage of the
022contingency that we're at. So what percentage of completion and what percentage of the contingency is used? We have not used a lot of our contingency. Um, like I said, we we have had some additions to um, you know, some little snafoos and we know that we're gonna it's going to cost us a little bit of money, but nothing I I don't think we've we've had anything outside of like the $20,000 range in total. I want to say we've had a couple additional expenditures >> and and this has been tracked. Um and I think when we got through that really I you know that stage when you open up the building particularly Mills lawn as an as a renovation project that's where you could see a major cost that you hadn't participated beforehand and it seems
023that we have gone through that phase you know also with the foundation >> for phase one and half of phase two yes there are still some walls that needs to be open but one example of that is in Miss Denman's us. Uh the floor was tilted in about that. >> It was $3,000. >> Was great. >> So that's done. >> I don't know. I don't know if it's done or not yet, but leveling the floor was >> or at least that we've got an estimate on it. >> Yep. >> So the good news is that so far knock on wood. There has not been a major expense to come up and I think as soon if one would it would come to the board. >> Yeah. >> Discuss. And for the high school project, what
024they talk about is pouring the footers. When you get past pouring your footers, which if you go out to the site, you can see the why now um that of the addition >> um the yeah, the foundations being poured for the band room and the new offices um >> for the new gym. And then >> the new gym, the walls are going up. So, >> and then the foundations for the Y too. And on that topic, I think we got an email that on August 13th, we'll be invited to have a tour before the board meetings >> and my understanding is by then they hope to have the pillars of the foundations of the pillars >> down or they're going to be about to or have done the concrete of the Y >> but you
025know depending on weather and all those things that happen. >> So the highest risk of the project is over the next month. >> Yes. Um, >> yeah, because we talked about having a tour before the last work session and I know that didn't happen. So, I was wondering, >> yeah, August turns out to be a better timing. Um, >> they were still doing remediation there, so it wasn't best time for to go there. Um, but >> do you want to add anything besides Oh, so so budget and schedule. So, right now we're, you know, thinking and and schedule's filling. the schedule has been altered a little bit because there's been a lot of days of rain 27 days of rain that has been dealing some things that I remember for phase one of me zone
026that you can do see in the yellow part on that fly behind um G over there. So that is scheduled to be finished around Thanksgiving. And then phase two, which is the orange and especially the pink >> where is targeted for winter break and that moved a little bit from before the end schedule has been moving a little bit too because of >> Yeah, because that sounds like that Thanksgiving sounds it's different than October. >> Yes. >> Yeah. And October you're referring to is 2026, not 2025. I'm talking about Thanksgiving 2025 for phase one. >> No, they were talking about, >> right? It has slowed down and again, we can only hope that they can make up some of that time. Um, so far we'll we'll get a a report to see if this is
027going to affect the overall budget, but as soon as we can get everything sort of contained, particularly in the middle school and high school, then weather is also less of a concern because >> yeah, >> they're working on the inside. So >> that's uh and a reminder also that that contingency money whatever is not spent goes back to the school right. So that is money that goes back to the school for other um costs that would be um not in the building cost. >> Yeah. So there's contingency for both the demo. >> Yes. >> And the demo. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Any other questions? Uh, good good conversation. Any other questions about the financial uh, report? Okay, Jay, you want to take >> Mess? >> Yes. >> Potter? >> Yes. >> Bailey?
028>> Yes. >> Himley? >> Yes. >> Motion passes five to zero. >> Okay. So, we will move to the administrative item number four. Do I have a motion to >> I move to we approve the MOU with the senior YMCA person. I second. >> Super. So, um this is something uh that Judith's been working on with the school members. I know she and I had a conversation about it when I was running for office and it's been great. you've been following up on that and it has uh resulted in a program that would be established with thisou between the uh Milslon school or the school district and the Zena YMCA which would give our students an opportunity to learn how to swim. Um, and we know the incredible importance of of that uh for health
029and safety. >> Yeah. Judith, did you want to say anything to it? >> Um, well, uh, Megan kind of took the lead on this. Um, talked to Zena and I think the Wise and, you know, I know Fairborn does this with their grade school, their second grade. So, so that's really cool that they're willing to to help with that. And um so no, I think it's excellent. I'm really glad we've managed to get it this far along. >> Yes. >> And I think that the next challenge is just the scheduling of how to do, you know, the scheduling. All the all the school district needs to do is provide transportation >> and teacher and a staff member to be there. Yeah. >> Oh, well yeah. >> Yeah. >> The st Yeah. whoever it is, the
030teacher or the agent the um >> I think it can be a great extension of the learning lessons that are available to villages and district residents at the the gpool to then continue into the year because of course this is a life skill something that you need to >> yeah I think I think trying to make you know make that point to uh parents you know who maybe hadn't thought it thought about it that Okay. Um, so no, I think it's it's excellent and I don't know if they're going to potentially need volunteers to help until, you know, other adults to come along, but I'm sure we'll hear. >> Yeah, let's stay tuned and and talk with uh Megan Winston about how that is launched and what uh community members perhaps can do. And I'd
031love to hear from the PTO in the future of about any feedback with the program so that we can continue to build it out and really develop it in the best way that serves both our students and our our our um learning community. So it's great great step. >> Any other conversation? >> Okay, you want to take a vote? No, I think we need to underline that it comes at no cost to the schools or to the students. I mean, >> Just transportation, but even to families besides >> there won't be a fee for families to do this. And uh I'm sure families will have a a you know questions and and uh the the school Milon school administration uh will be providing that information. >> Bailey. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yes, we're voting on
032it in Yesh. >> Yes. >> Magnus, >> yes. >> Potter, >> yes. >> Motion passes 5 to zero. >> Okay. Next item, 4.2, the approval of the YEA supplementals for 202526. >> I move that we approve the YA supplementals for 2025 2026. Is >> there a second? >> I agree. Second. >> Okay. So, um Jay, >> um yeah, I I will and actually I was going to say there's a slight edit here. Um it is it's 2526, but it's actually 26 uh 27 and 2728 as well. >> Yeah. As >> this was update that it was what we had negotiated the table um and there were some formatting issues with the way that it was laid out um when we initially approved the agreement. So, we just were fixing the format and making sure it
033was what we had all agreed to at the table. So, it's no changes to um the agreement. It's just making sure that it's the format that we want and that it shows the um full three years of the agreement. That was something they requested. It it had it in writing what the increase was for years two and three. um but they just wanted to see the amounts in the in the contract. So >> So this is a a just an update and um you know reworking of of the documentation that aligns with the agreement that uh was was approved by the board our last regular meeting. Um, and there are no changes in terms of no surprises here, no additions or and I I did learn from Dr. Holden that there is no objection to
034this or concern from the YSA. Uh, they received their touch base. >> Go ahead. Uh so >> I also think that it's very informational and it shows to the wider community all the roles that our teachers are filling beyond just from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 aton. Um so there's a lot of extra task they are taking on here. >> Okay. >> And there's a full day of I think conversation over supplementals. So we put a lot of time into getting these reworked and so yeah it's very much >> good. And thank you. Yeah. Any other questions, comments? Okay, let's take a vote. >> Otter, >> yes. >> Bailey, >> yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Hling. >> Yes. >> Magnus, >> yes. >> Motion passes 5 to zero. >> Okay. Do I have a motion
035to approve personnel schedules? >> We approve the personnel schedule. >> I second. >> So, we we do this every meeting uh regular meeting. There's a usually a set of contracts uh based on uh personnel changes and and hiring and renewals etc. Uh we have a series of them uh here in July including resignations. Um well you know the list did you have anything to add Jay? >> Um no um I think we are we yeah I well last time I talked to Terry we were fully staffed. Yeah. So, um, you know, and today's the deadline, so I may there may have been something that I haven't heard of, but it would have been very last minute. Um, so, um, right now we are looking good for the beginning of the school year, and these schedules
036just finalize our full staffing, >> right? Thank you. And good job to our administrators and our staff for keeping everybody >> keeping that and also to our teachers who are working here and doing such an amazing job for our students. So, thank you. Um any any questions or concerns about the personnel schedules in this >> section? Okay. Can you take a vote? >> Yeah. Bokeh? >> Yes. >> Himling? >> Yes. >> Magnus? >> Yes. >> Potter? >> Yes. >> Bailey? >> Yes. Motion passes five to zero. >> Okay, moving along. We might be having a record here, but I think it's right for July. >> Um, board communication. We'll start with the Yellow Springs Development Corporation. I'm sorry that mint has gone down a bit wrong. So, why don't we move to the liaison report?
037>> Uh, sure. >> Do you want to go? >> Yeah. Um, so we're still working on trying to coordinate with the village on the safe storage of guns. Um, a kind of educational campaign. Um, the, uh, PD gives out locks for safe storage. Um but I don't think too many people are aware of it. nor do I think, you know, are people that well informed about the importance of safe storage and the um the kind of impacts that both in terms of potential suicides and obviously other um kinds of yeah accidental uh you know children getting into guns accidentally hurting themselves or someone else and uh as well as the kind of things that have happened from school to at schools from time to time. So, um there's an educational uh document already that we
038could just use it. Um so, I put a uh I sent an email out to the village uh at this I mean I had talked to the superintendent. She said go ahead and you know set up a meeting with the chief um at the end of June and I've reached out again. I know it's been a busy time to follow up with that. So hopefully by the next meeting I'll have something to report. Okay, great. Thank you. >> Um I can follow with a very brief YSDC report. Uh the last meeting I I I attended it the last um July meeting and it which was Tuesday July 1st and it was a continuation of the conversations uh that had been going on at the previous meeting. scheduling an event uh to sort of showcase Yellow
039Springs, to talk about a kind of the vision and goals of the organization, um to delineate some of the differences between the U Chamber of Commerce of Yellow Springs and the YSDC. And that's about it. Just continue. So I know that there was an ongoing conversation about the role of the school district in YSDC. Has there been any clarification about that or any conclusion reached? >> Um not really. I think I I talked at our last meeting u that Dr. Holden will not be attending uh the meetings unless you know invited okay with or superintendent has a lot to do. Um and that direct connection to the work of the YSDC and the schools has yet to be worked out. Uh I in our last meeting broached the issue and uh left it as open
040to having a conversation with Meg Weatherman at the village to kind of talk through this a little bit more. And when I have something to say to you all as soon as I know it, I will share it with with you. Um but it would be something you know we might want to consider uh closer to the renewal time which is January or when we we can decide what committees we are part of and what work to do. >> Um how we ourselves envision >> are the the role of the board and the YSDC. >> Okay. >> Transportation. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Sure. Uh so in there there are two documents. One is the meeting notes of our last of May because we met on July 1 and we approved that and that was about
041a May 14th back to school event uh that happened most of it. The next one is a document, a letter that I send the council because I've had several parents and other committee members that brought up some near misses accidents on Dayton Street and in other part of town and it's happening at a time also where the active transportation committee which is made of volunteers has made has done a lot of work collecting information. But we need to have someone that is knowledgeable in updating the ATP which is the active transportation plan. And that document is what uh strengthens applications from the village for ODOT grants. So as a reminder since I think 2018 the village has gotten about $5 million in grants from the Ohio Department of Transportation. This is a great record. We
042should keep it going. There are definitely spots in town where we need to strengthen and add more layers. So, we know that we have that mult multimodel path on Dayton Street. Uh what the testimonies that I've included here bring up is crossing Dayton Street to get to that. That can get really tricky, especially at a high street in Dayton where we can have that's at an angle and then cars are parked in a way that we can't see. So, uh, working on both intersections would be a great addition to, uh, safety and active transportation in town. So, I've reached out to the council. The council got really busy at the last meeting talking about other items that are very important, too. Um, but I'm I'm I'm hearing um that there is support to dedicate some
043village staff time to helping us bring the update to the end uh, and have an updated active transportation so that we can then get more applications. And where this is really at key for us is that we have to redo the sidewalk that is um along our East End Street. That's uh one of the requirements that we have to meet to get the certification of operation in the new buildings of the renovated buildings. That's about a quarter of million dollar. Uh and so it would be great if we can get the ATP the ATP updated in time so that we can add it to our application so that we can get ODOT to help us uh extend the multimodel path to in front of Eastan. There are also other zones and other items that we're
044adding to that is between four and five items that um the active transportation committee has highlighted as um key elements to be included in next round of applications. I have a just a suggestion. You know, I live over there and so I cross, you know, High Street, Stafford Street. >> Um, and I think if um I think the Stafford Street, you know, which is the closest to the schools. >> Um, and it's a little narrower and >> it varies. >> Yeah. Yeah. But I almost think if that was the crossing that students were to go to that that would be the better one than the high street. High streets, you know, because the high street the students can walk down to Stanford >> if they're coming down high >> but it's a little closer and
045I think but people do not stop. I mean when I'm walking people do not stop. I mean some people do. 50% of people do not stop at all. >> Has there been a discussion about a crossing guard there? Um so those incidents didn't happen around school time. They happened in other times but u that's a conver that's uh something to bring up to um the meals administr administration for the cross guard. I don't think there's a cross guard out there. >> In fact one time I I walked a child across because I live on Dayton Street very close to the corner of Dayton Stra Stafford. At one point I I I I was very angry, I have to say, at the car drivers. Um, but I I assisted a child to get across. And I
046think that we would have more parents trust on that north side of town trust sending their children to school >> um by walking or biking if there was a safe way to cross the street. I pull out the suggestion of Chris Bonjouro who is a city planner urban planner by by profession and we recommended some suggestions here. But yes, of course having a human presence there would make the difference. It's not always doable. But also I'm thinking about active transportation during the summer when there is no school and kids go to the pool and other places and they're not necessarily going to go buy meals to go there. So altogether it's also having conversations. Sometimes I have firm words with other parents when I say driving about you know reminding the importance of slowing down
047and making sure that we are ready to see kids of any height popping between cars and crossing. >> I think in general there's been a general terms on Dayton Street that people are driving faster now than they have in the past. Is that they have been reduced? The other thing is >> um limestone there's stop signs every whip stitch. >> Yeah. >> Dayton street there are no stop signs. None at all. >> That would be a great location again for a stop sign. I think that's a bigger question. >> And all those ideas are great to put in an email to Johnny. >> Yeah. For Johnny. >> Yeah. And I encourage anyone who's familiar with the situation on Dayton Street to do that, especially if you have children >> um and have interacted, you know,
048with those issues on Dayton Street. I'd also say that since uh Fairfield uh Pike has uh speed bumps, a lot of uh drivers wanting to go through the village feels to me, I have no statistics on this, are taking Dayton Street to get through town that way. Uh so >> so and that's where I was also asking the village for support. They have a great um communication um system now with Ben Gunther and if we could have some sort of campaigns, educational campaigns about driving in the village um because many of the people that are driving us actually people that we all know, >> right? It's not just >> it's not the outsiders, the insiders, too. And I know that also with my own spouse. I need to remind him. He's like 25 here, not
04935. 25. >> So, it's about having those conversations and bringing it up and making a point. Yeah. >> But, you know, they've got those stop signs now on the blinky lights, which I don't particularly like them, but again, there needs to be something on Dayton Street. >> And it's about layering layering all sorts of reminders to be driving mindfully in in town. Yeah. >> Okay. Well, let's continue to follow that and thanks to the uh active transportation committee and we I think as a school are interested in making sure our kids can get to school and to things like places like park we have lots of yeah lots of athletic activities. Um so if this body can do anything to help with that effort um >> so um I I provided in the letter some
050deliverables that we're working on and one of the next target that we have for walk and bike audit is around the college area. So, Livermore and mapping out uh the um the sidewalks that need to be repaired or need to be um widened because we need to think about all sorts of mobilities. It could be from people in wheelchair to strollers to people with bicycles and little kids learning to ride. So, we're we are going to target a date and then take two or three hours if you want to come and help us out. It's a fun exercise and it >> opens your mind about what needs to be done for accessibility for all. >> So that's we've done it around me zone last November. >> Yeah. >> I wonder if the you should write
051a letter from the school board about >> that issue crossing the industry. >> That's a good suggestion >> that it would come from the whole school board >> saying something needs to be done >> to address >> to the village. Yeah, it's in there. That's what I mean. It was >> I think she was I think she wanted to um You're suggesting that it goes to the newspaper. >> Well, I was just suggesting it comes from the whole whole >> whole board. Well, if we all agree >> if if you agree with the content of that one, we can also put it in the paper, >> right? And um we can >> Can we keep it open for a hot second? So we are you suggesting that we we um send a communication uh that
052the school board discussed this as president I can do that. >> Yeah. And that we think some there needs to be some intervention to help >> everybody but especially young children getting across state street safely >> that there's not something that's long and you know with these um examples but um but something that you want to write something >> so let's discuss that. It seems like we have consensus on the board that we as a board address >> highlighting about the issue the importance of strengthening our >> it might be good to send it um but you know it we can either send it soon um >> if we want to get something done before school >> before or if we want just or if we want it to just be a general reminder for
053people to slow down then I'm a little bit closer do when school breaks my position. So, >> August. >> But yeah, but I'm thinking we should ask the village to do so >> either either before school starts within the next couple weeks or >> I think that would be two two things. One would be to send something to the village council and and manager >> and then another one just to just generally slow down >> which we can we can work with a community. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh legislative report. Uh we've added the Ohio representative letter to our Ohio. >> Yeah. So, representatives, let's um shall we pick that up first? >> Actually, just a it's a quick thing here. The lengthy report. I do not write it. It comes from the
054Hamilton County ESSE. She's a a fantastic uh writer, but she got the date wrong. It's not June 27th, it's July 3rd. And you can tell from the content, but just FYI, this is the latest one out there. And it talks about the vetos and that's why I wanted to mention this before we get to this. So if you need background about why there's the memo uh that we will be discussing next then start there then and then we can move on to uh the memo that we got from OSBASA and OSBO today which are the the uh public education administrators and and uh school boards loving group in Ohio that came together and sent us a memo today about the Ohio House uh scheduling a vote on Monday, July 20 21st to override three vetos
055that Governor DeWine uh struck from the budget bill. Do you want to take it from there? Do you want do you want me to continue? >> Um I can you can chime in. I'll just say briefly. So this would be something that we would send um as a board, you know, at times because of the speed with which these legislative decisions have been made, particularly at the last communication came from uh Dorothy and I because we did not have a time to meet as a board. uh this would come from us as a board which is the preferable way of doing it um because we have the meeting tonight and we can review it and discuss it but as I think Dorothy said at the beginning of the meeting you know we just got these
056memos uh it's so it's just happens to be the timing works uh for tonight and I'd want to thank Dorothy for for writing this draft uh it's echoing many of the things that we have been saying or generally our messaging from the be you from the beginning of this conversation. And I also really want to thank the Yellow Springs News for reporting so thoroughly on this and I really appreciate that especially because I believe that the governor also reads the Yellow Springs News. So >> thanks. That's great. Um and I I I just would like us we can we can discuss this. um please add anything but it is mainly a statement once again saying that if these items were overridden uh we would be in the scenario that Jay uh described to us on
057June 30th uh which is both poorly thought out very impossible uh to implement uh given given the way funding for schools works. Um we we know the we know the problems with it. >> Yeah. And so the maybe just to go over the three items over there is uh one item gives power to the county budget commission to adjust how much we're uh how much of what the voters approved we were going to get through levies. So it gives a power of um which can lead to inequity throughout the county and throughout the state. Here the second item is changing the calculation of a 20 mil floor uh of a 20 mil floor which uh I think twoth3 of the schools in Ohio are at the 20 mil floor and it's kind of moving the
058gold pond post for twothird of public schools in Ohio including us. And then the last one, it's restricting the type of levies that school district can raise. And we're already so limited in how we can raise money knowing that we cannot raise money in a way that can grow with inflation to start with except in very very limited um situations. So um this would be impacting our financial planning which we have been spending a lot of time making sure that we would stretch the money that we have that the voters have approved for us as long as we could and this would undermine that. Is there any other items? >> Yeah. Um one I would say the uh vetos by the governor um were very helpful for us. Uh, one of the big things I
059got rid of was the um the the carryover balance um limitations, which was probably one of the most difficult things to work with. Um, we still haven't made any changes because we knew this was coming. Um, we knew that even though he vetoed those that they would probably come back and try to override some of the vetos. Um, and I guess one of the things I would say is that property tax and levies that are available, it is incredibly complicated and we've done our best to educate the community of what we were doing when we asked um for those levies in the past and this is just sort of going behind and changing the rules um after the fact. So, we've been operating under one set of rules and then this is the legislator's way
060of of changing the rules for us. Um, I I think that, you know, they have said this is in response to some of the trienal updates that have caused some big increases around the state, but a lot of these actions are too little too late. Um, we're not going to see the same type of inflation in the housing market that had never happened before. Um, so >> yes, it's veryctionary. So, so to react to something that only happens once every 100 years, um, and change the laws, that is just not a good practice. You're they're reacting to something that's already gone past. So, I think people understand things the way that they work now and changing them sort of then we have to go back and change the way that that we've approached the community
061in the past. So, >> oh one more thing here is that in terms of just operating funds, the schools has not asked for more or an increased amount since 2012, right? And that's something that we want to keep for as long as we can >> in our operating budget in our operating budget. Right. The operating levies have not changed the amount since 2020. >> We have not asked for yes more operating money since 2012. And we want if those were vetoed that could change that. And whereas earlier this year we had learned that we could >> vetos are overridden. You mean if they're >> if the vetos are overridden, right? Yes. >> Saying that we lied to them >> when we put the levy on the ballot and said that we wouldn't have to ask
062for new money within 10 years. >> Right. because on May 8th of this year we learned that we could stretch out for another we could stretch out our operating levies and income for 10 years and that was the best news right that's what we >> and also with the the structure of the levy to allow for new money in ter with the addition of new construction right >> so it was thought out based on the unique situation of our school district and as Jay said this is changing the rules um so I I hope that our legislators respect ect respect that and and listen to this statement. Does anyone have any questions, comments? >> I just wonder if this if these things come uh if they decide to try to override, are they doing that
063knowing they've got the votes? Do you think >> it's hard on partying? >> It's very what >> seems very um they need they need they need 66% of the vote to They needed two. >> They need two/3 of a vote and they have the one majority party has 70% of the votes. >> Right. So the Republican party if they decided to go against their Republican governor could do it. >> Now they would even put it up if they didn't know they had the votes if if we would. So sometimes so there's been interesting sub sections of of a party in majority here that has been at play in the last couple of years and sometimes they bring they brought something up that didn't pass. We've seen some changes big changes u and I I think
064that our communications there might have added to the wealth of communications that came to them that say like you're breaking a system too far if you do this. So I do think it's worth it. I think that there is a chance and I think that no matter what we owe it to the committee to try. >> So yeah, [Music] >> thanks for for this draft. Appreciate it. It's been has has our legislative representative >> legis. Um so any conversation we don't we don't need to take a vote. If there's just consent that uh we endorse this then we there any objections? >> Okay. Well, thanks again and that can come from the entire board. >> Yeah. Uh so you will will you do the >> Yes, I I will I I will be the one
065to send it to the >> I think we should send it to uh Representative Dean, Senator Coler and we should send it to Senator Hoffman. >> Yeah. and whoever the house speaker is that I can remember their name right now. >> Yeah. Okay. Let's then move on to our last item uh which is other board member announcements. That's where we'll talk about fall schedules. But I do know we had a member of the committee come in late and if uh if you wanted to introduce yourself and if you had planned to speak to the board. >> Oh no plans. >> Okay. >> Paul first off. >> Hi Paul. Oh, thanks for joining us and finding us here in this location. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Um, fall schedules. >> Let's start there. >> Yeah. Unfortunately, um,
066uh, uh, I'm at the point in my degree program where I need to take a business class. Um, I've just got three semesters left. And so, um, and they're only offered at night. So, I had a choice between Monday, Tuesday, or Tuesday, Thursday. So, I took the Monday, Wednesday. So, I won't be able to meet to make a Wednesday work session. So, I'm just wondering if we're the um let's see. So, it would only affect uh September, October, November, right? >> November. >> If uh if there's, you know, so you know, I thought if we could figure out if it would be better, you know, if it's possible to move to a Tuesday, Thursday, that would be really helpful. >> Yeah. Um I think you made the right choice. so we don't have to remove
067our regular. >> So I've I I've made a commitment to those days for sure, but you know, it's just that, you know, I apologize that I wasn't able to make this work in your ways. It's just >> um I would just say that we um you know, work sessions, we normally discuss them the month before. >> Um we don't always have them, >> right? >> So um and those are a lot easier to move than our regular meeting. So um so we're really yeah looking at September, October, really September and October because as you said November we have um capital conference and Thanksgiving. So we usually don't have a November one and we usually don't have a December one either because that's Christmas. >> Christmas. Yeah. >> So >> I think this is very easy
068to manage. >> Yeah. Um >> Okay, good. >> So when we discuss the topic of the work session, we'll we'll see if everybody can find a >> let everybody know. We also are um you know principles don't usually attend work sessions either so yeah >> okay thanks y >> we'll make it work. >> Any other board member announcements? >> Um I just wanted to um say um street fair was a huge success but I wanted to give a thanks to Becca and um Antioch Midwest. They offered up their parking lots for the athletic boosters to still run their fundraiser um for parking since the construction's happening. So, I wanted to say thanks to them. Oh, >> great. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> offering that. >> I think that the weather kind of dampened. >> Yeah.
069Everybody kind of reported in less than you know. >> So, let's hope that >> dip in you know. So, you support your local. Well, let's hope that October will make up for >> nonprofits because >> for nonprofits. That's right. I know that the PTO didn't quite meet their goal and also uh book market to come and help for with two shifts at the Mills PTO parking or at the boosters parking lots because those are the huge help. >> Yeah. >> For the uh services and and events planned for the kids >> and it's a load of fun. Yes. So, um, I did get rained on. I was pretty wet. I got the shift where the clouds opened up getting recruited for the sea dogs. I was there for about four hours. >> I think I
070was underneath the the back flap of of Christy's car. >> Oh, but the food trucks made it worth it. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> Get your pork chop. Okay. Any any other uh you just missed that just >> those were so >> okay I think we're uh we're done for the meeting. >> All right. So I move that we adjourn and second. >> All those cars uh in favor say I. >> I meeting adjourned at 801. >> That I think is a record folks. >> It is a record.